College Sports

Rams hope home court is huge help vs. Rebels

Colorado State guard Dorian Green shoots over Colorado's defense Dec. 5 at the Coors Events Center in Boulder. The Rams put their 23-game home winning streak on the line Saturday against athletic UNLV. (Jereny Papasso, Daily Camera)

Larry Eustachy's pack of party crashers at Colorado State doesn't dominate the ESPN news ticker and highlight reels. But nevermind the Rams' lack of publicity nationwide. They're rolling right along.

"I've told our team, on any given night this group can beat any team I've ever had," Eustachy told The Denver Post on Wednesday. "And that's saying something, because I've had some good teams (including two Big 12 regular- season title teams while at Iowa State)."

Colorado State has won 23 consecutive games in Fort Collins, a school record and the Rams' longest home streak since 1962 — when CSU played at the Aggies' old South College Gym.

The Rams have ticked off victories at home this season against UTEP and Evansville, plus a 39-point blowout of Air Force on Wednesday.

But the Rams' toughest test at their own Moby Arena comes Saturday, when CSU (14-3) hosts UNLV at 5 p.m. The Rebels (15-3) are fresh off a road upset of No. 15-ranked San Diego State on Wednesday.

Let's not overlook, the Rams entered the week No. 25 in the RPI rankings (used by the NCAA Tournament committee in selecting at-large bids).

Between Colorado State, UNLV, New Mexico and San Diego State, the Mountain West could again flood the NCAA Tournament field in March. Those four teams qualified in 2012 and none has more than three losses this season. Wyoming is 14-2 and contending.

The Mountain West title is up for grabs. And what separates the teams at the top is minute.

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Colorado State's Wes Eikmeier last week told The Post, after the Rams' OT loss to San Diego State: "At the end of the day, it's still a loss. If you lose by one or lose by two, it wouldn't matter."

It's that close. And with a game looming Wednesday at No. 19 New Mexico, the Rams' home strength is heartening.

Ranked teams tussle in Denver. For the first time since 2005, three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams are ranked in the Division II top 25. And each of those teams will play in Denver this weekend.

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

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